The project idea was born because we, the 4 organizations involved in this project (LV, ES, PL, IT), observed in our communities that the time of COVID pandemic has had negative impact on YOUNG PEOPLE - on their habits, physical and mental well-being, how they relate to each other and how they view the world around them. In order to prevent further problems with well-being, mental health and disconnection and start recovering in our communities, we believe that it is very crucial to do grass-roots youth work activities by involving in them young people. We need to provide the space for youngsters to meet, connect, experience live youth non-formal activities that “touch” them and become more involved. AIM With this YE project we have chosen to activate and empower 24 younger young people (youngsters aged 13-16 y.o.) to become future activists and change-makers in their communities. While this will be the first non-formal learning (NFL) and international project for almost all of them, we want them to experience the magic of it and develop many crucial personal and social skills that they might need to activate and engage their peers in similar kind of activities (locally and internationally). Our LONG-TERM AIM is to reach out to new generation of youngsters in our communities, motivate them to become more active and keep them engaged also beyond the exchange. An international mobility project is a good way to attract young people (to “hook” them), nevertheless, with this project we want to support active participation and inclusion of young people in our communities beyond project timeline. The THEMATIC FOCUS of this youth exchange is on exploring how wellbeing and mental health can be promoted by being (physically) active, being outdoors and discovering the power of working together (“young people WITH the young people” and “young people FOR the young people”). Surely the theme of mental health is not very original (there are surely many projects tackling this topic), nevertheless, the issue is so big and effects of pandemic so severe, so, we think that in order to start rebuilding our societies, we need to talk about it and build the skills of taking care of own well-being. We need to empower a network of youth leaders so that they can pass on the knowledge to the peers in our communities. OBJECTIVES - O1. To create a safe and supportive learning environment, where all youngsters (regardless of background) feel comfortable to be, share their ideas, actively participate, exchange cultures and develop themselves. - O2. To discuss and share stories on how COVID-19 times have influenced the children and youth in our communities and deepen the awareness about typical risks for young peoples’ well-being and mental health. - O3. To explore the power of different cooperative physical activities, games and activities outdoors as an effective way to develop different personal and social skills, connection, belonging and increase the well-being. - O4. To increase the motivation and skills of youngsters to take initiative and organize such activities for each other and their peers. - O5. To provide a space for youngsters to identify what are the social issues that they deeply care about and would like to improve in their communities and empower them to become more engaged as peer-leaders and positive change-makers after the youth exchange. Why this approach – why have we chosen to include in the programme (physical) activities outdoors and in the nature?! - Because we discussed it with young people and this was one of first connection points between the groups. They told that they know different games and practices that can be done outdoors and that they would like to share with others. - Because we as youth work organizations believe in the power of being in the nature/outdoors and our organizations are using this approach already. - Many researches in last 10 years have proven the impact of being outdoors on improved well-being and mental health.